Rare Old Maps

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CAL102 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Preliminary Surveys of Harbors on the Western Coast of the United States” Wash. 1854. 12X12½. Colored. An exceptionally nice chart of Santa Cruz Harbor & Vicinity, Point AnoNuevo Anchorage and a sub-sketch  showing the positions of Santa Cruz and Ano Nuevo Harbors. Many soundings and an approach view of Point Ano Nuevo bearing S.E. by E. (compass) 4½ miles. Navigational notes on tides and soundings. 

CAL104 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Reconnaissance of the Western Coast of the United States from Monterey to the Columbia River”. Wash. 1851. 19½X17. B/W. Sheet 2 (of 3) Chart covers coastal region from the Umpqua River to Cape Mendocino. Soundings in Trinidad Bay and off Cape Mendocino and in Humboldt Bay. Locates all principal capes, bays and rivers. 2 finely engraved approach view 1) View of Trinidad Head. 2) View of Cape Mendocino. Gives sailing directions and navigational notes and locates track of the U. S. Coast Survey Schooner ''Ewing.'' (Some minor browning at folds.)

CAL108 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Preliminary Chart of the Pacific Coast - Point Pinos to Bodega Head”. Wash. 1862. B/W. 38½X27½ Many soundings along the coast. Notes on tides, Bottoms. Locates San Francisco Harbor and Bay, and San Pablo Bay and all principal coastal towns and harbors. A large, detailed coastal chart.

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CAL117 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Map of the country between San Diego & the Colorado River”.  7X10. B/W. 1855. Small geological survey to accompany a report by W. P. Blake Esq.

CAL118 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “San Pablo Bay; California” Wash. D.C. 1863. B/W. 24X39.  Large striking chart of the Bay with detailed coastal topography showing Pt. San Quentin, Marin Islands, Pt.San Pedro, Petaluma Pt. Locates block plan of Vallejo, the Straits of Karquines; points and Pt. San Pablo. Rivers & creeks, Sonoma Creek. Many soundings appear in the Bay and chart includes 3 finely engraved insets 1. View of the Entrance to San Francisco Bay from near Penole Pt. 2. View of the Entrance to Karquines Straits & Vicinity from near Penole Pt & 3. Sub-sketch continuation of Straits of Karquines. Includes detailed sailing directions, notes on tides, currents, soundings and bottoms.

CAL121 - S. A. MITCHELL “County Map of the State of California” Phila. 1884. Colored. 21X14½. Map shows all principal towns and harbors, railroads, rivers, elevations and offshore islands. Includes a large inset map (10X7) of San Francisco showing streets, wharves, channel and major buildings; and a small inset map of San Francisco By and Vicinity. Very detailed. A fine double page map with good color.

THE WESTERN COAST FROM
CALIFORNIA TO ALASKA

LA PEROUSE “Chart of the North West Coast of America explored by the Boussole & Astrolabe in 1786”. London (Robinson edition) 1798. Colored outlines. (3 sheets approximately 15X19 inches each.) The 3 sheets cover in great detail, for this early date, the largely unexplored coast from Monterey in California to Mount St. Elias and Cape Fairweather in Alaska. Tracks of the ships (Boussole & Astrolabe) are shown along with soundings along the coast and the coastline including San Francisco harbor is outlined in fine detail with all known place names and harbors located.

See French Edition under Pacific Northwest PNW151,152,153 & 154

CAL125 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Sketch J. Showing the progress of the Survey of the Bay of San Francisco, California” Wash. D. C. 1850. B/W. 9¼X10. Sketch with triangulations shows San Francisco Bay, San Pablo and Suisun Bays and names the town of San Francisco and all principal harbors, points, islands from whence bearings were taken. Locates missions, U.S. Military Post, Sausalito, Pt. San Quentin and Farallones Islands.

CAL129 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Reconnaissance of the south east end of San Clemente Island” Wash. 1856. B/W. 12X16½. Fine engraved view of the island and many soundings. Navigational notes. 

CAL132 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “San Clemente/Prisoners Harbor/Cuyler's Harbor”. Wash.1852.  B/W. 17X13½. 
3 charts on one sheets. Many soundings. Approach views, finely engraved, for Cuyler's Harbor and view of anchorage N.W. end of San Clemente. Has note “plenty of good water & wood can be obtained at Prisoner's Harbor”.

CAL134 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Mare Island Straits” Wash. 1857. 14X17¼. U.S. Navy Yard on Mare Island. Many soundings into the Straits of Karquines. Navy Yard Slough and Boat Cut-Off located. Vallego across from the Navy Yard located and San Pablo Bay at base of chart. (Colored) 

CAL135 - BRITISH ADMIRALTY “U. S. West Coast. San Francisco Bay, Southern Part from the U.S.Government charts to 1952.” Published London. 1952. Small corrections to 1963. 19X26. Shows South San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Bruno Shoal, Ravenswood Pt. Depicts shoreline topography in detail; soundings, anchorages, buoys, beacons, courses and channels.

CAL136 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Preliminary Survey of San Pedro Anchorage and Vicinity of Santa Barbara, California” Wash. 1855. 7X14½. B/W. Shows soundings, tides. A nice two part chart. 

CAL137 - U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey: “United States - West Coast. California, southern part.” Wash. D.C 1949 (Corrected to 1965). Includes block plans of San Francisco, Redwood City, Palo Alto and Hayward. Anchorage data overprinted. Large inset of Redwood Creek. 34"x41" #5531.

CAL138 - U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey: “Western Sea Frontier. Southern California Sector. Offshore Operating Areas for Sea and Air.” Wash. D.C. 1947 (Corrected to 1965). Shows very detailed airspace warning areas. 36"x51" #11,927OA.

CAL139 - L A PEROUSE “Plan of the Port of S. Diego in California.. from a survey in 1782” and “Plan of the Port and Departement of S. Blas...from a survey in November 1777”. London.1798. Colored. 19X13. Published by G. G. & J. Robinson. Fine two part chart of San Diego and San Blas harbors surveyed in 1782 and 1777 by La Perouse with his ships the Boussole and the Astrolabe. Charts show detailed soundings in fathoms. The Presidio and Mission of San Diego. Hill Point. Rancherie or Village of Indians. Rancherie de los Choyas. Locates careenage and arsenal in San Blas Harbor and a block plan of the town. Depicts shoal areas and depth soundings. This chart of San Diego is an important and early one surveyed by a great explorer and navigator, J.F.G. La Perouse. 

California as an Island

The first idea of California as an island is supposed to have originated with a Carmelite Friar, Father Antonio Ascension based on a misconception of the reports of Spanish navigators in the late 16th and early 17th century. However, it was in England that the concept was first made popular with maps published in 1625, while the Dutch cartographers resisted the idea until about 1638 when Jan Jansson adopted the island form and other European cartographers followed his lead. It was a Jesuit priest, Father Eusebio Kino, who crossed from the mainland to the peninsula of California, in the latter part of the 17th century, who subsequently drew a map in 1698 indicating the fallacy of the island theory. His map, however, was not accepted by cartographers especially by Herman Moll who said “Why, I have had in my office mariners who have sailed round it.” The island theory continued to 1746 when Father Consag sailed completely round the Gulf of California and King Ferdinand of Spain in 1747, in a Royal decree, stated “California is not an Island.” Nevertheless, the cartographer P. Van der Aa had tried to have it both ways in 1715-1730 with his maps of America with California., issuing them in two versions, one as an island and one as a peninsula, so his clients could take their choice! (Ref. R. V. Tooley “The Mapping of America.” 1950 (1985) Chapter 3. California as an Island. Pages 110-111.)

See also: WOR150, WOR151, WOR158, & WOR159. See also: N&SA118 & N&SA119.

CAL141 - P. CLAUDE BUFFIER “Mappamondo.” Rome 1787. B/W as issued. 5X7. Small, but attractive double hemisphere map engraved by Giovanni Petroschi for Buffier's “Nuova Geografia,” shows the Western Hemisphere with California drawn as an island off the coast of North America evidently copied from earlier charts, as by 1787 the island concept had been disproved & discarded by most major cartographers. On the Eastern Hemisphere map only the western coast of Australia is drawn in though the eastern coast had been discovered and surveyed by Capt. James Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771. Although land contours on both hemispheres are drawn in, the charm of the map lies in its inaccuracies and the lack of universal knowledge still apparent in mapmaking in some European centers in the 18th century.

PAC103 - L. RENARD “Magnum Mare Del Zur Cum Insula California; De Groote Zuyd-Zee En't California” Amstd. c. 1715. Colored. 19½X22¼. Finely engraved & highly decorative sea chart of the Pacific Ocean shows California as an island off the coast of North America. The early discoveries by the Dutch on the northern coast of Australia and New Guinea which appear joined; Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) & New Zealand are partially discovered, as are many islands in the Pacific. Chart also shows early charting of Japan and is embellished with 4 sailing ships in the Ocean, a fanciful depiction of Neptune & marine figures around the title cartouche and a portrait of Magellan over the title. Rhumb lines and compass rose complete the decoration. Chart covers an area from the Equator to 50'N.Lat. & south to 45°S. Lat. One of the finest charts showing California as an island.

PAC104 - P. MORTIER “Mer De Sud Ou Pacifique Contenant L'Isle De Californe, les costes de Mexique, Du Perou, Chili et le Detroit De Magellanique..” Amstd. 1693. Colored 23½X29. A large striking chart shows the coasts of North America with all principal harbors, and showing California as an island. Locates Central America and the West Indies, the western coast of South America; Tierra Del Fuego and the Straits of Magellan. Chart encompasses the entire Pacific Ocean with the latest south sea discoveries including part of Van Diemen's land (Tasmania) & New Zealand. A small portion of the northern coast of Australia appears joined to New Guinea, and the islands of Japan have been partially discovered. Numerous small islands appear dotted over the Ocean which is crossed by rhumb lines and the chart includes 2 decorative compass roses.

CAL144 - S. A. MITCHELL “County Map of the State of California.” Phila. 1875. Colored. 21½X14. Fine, colorful map of the State with a large inset in top right titled “San Francisco” showing a detailed block plan of the City and it's waterfront. Also includes a small inset in lower left titled “San Francisco Bay and Vicinity.” Map shows all principal cities, towns & harbors, mountain ranges, & rivers. Depicts all offshore islands and the Santa Barbara Channel. This attractive map has a decorative border frame. 

CAL147 - G. VANVOUVER “Remarquable Montaigne près de la Riviere de Monterey”. Paris. c. 1798 (1800). B/W. 3½X5. Small copper engraved landscape scene of a ‘remarkable’ mountain near the Monterey River in California seen by George Vancouver during his voyage to the Pacific, and America's northwest coast between 1791-1795. He visited Monterey for the 2nd time in 1794 on his way back to England. His surveys and sketches were some of the most accurate available at the end of the 18th century. This miniature sketch is from the French edition of Vancouver's great volumes titled “A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World” which was first published in England in 1798. 

CAL148 - G. VANCOUVER “Mission de St. Carlos, près de Monterrey” Paris. c. 1798 (1800). B/W. 3½X5. Small copper engraved landscape scene of the Mission at Monterey, seen by George Vancouver during his voyage to the Pacific, and America's northwest coast in 1791-1795. He visited Monterey for the 2nd time in 1794 on his way back to England. This miniature sketch is from the French edition of Vancouver's great volumes titled “A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World” which was first published in England in 1798.

CAL149 - G. VANCOUVER “Presidio de Monterey”. Paris c. 1798 (1800). B/W. 3½X5. Small copper engraved landscape scene shows the Presidio near Monterey in California, seen by George Vancouver during his voyage to the Pacific and America's northwest coast in 1791-1795. He visited Monterey for the 2nd time in 1794 on his way back to England. This miniature sketch is from the French edition of Vancouver's great volumes titled “A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific ocean and Round the World” which was first published in England in 1798.

CAL150 - R. DE VAUGONDY “Carte De La Californie Suivant 1. La Carte Manuscrite de l'Amerique de Mathieu Néron Pecci olen dresses a Florence en 1604. 2. Sanson 1656. 3.De L'Isle, Amerique, Sept. 1700. 4. Le Pére Kino. Jesuite en 1705. 5. La Société des Jésuites en 1767.” Livourne (Livorno.) 1779. B/W. 11½X15¼. This map published in Denis Diderot's “Encyclopedie” in 1779 was engraved in the studio of Robert de Vaugondy, an eminent publisher & cartographer, and shows California and the Pacific Northwest drawn firstly by Mathieu Néron Pecci in Florence in 1604, then by Nicolas Sanson in 1656, Guillaume de L'Isle in 1700 and by the Jesuit Father Kino in 1705 and finally the Society of Jesuits in 1767. The five inset charts on this sheet reveal how little was known of the coast of California in the 17th and early 18th centuries, from the time when California was believed to be an island in Sanson's map of 1656, to the surveys of the Jesuits in 1705-1767, which finally disproved the island theory. However, until Capt. James Cook and George Vancouver brought back detailed charts of North America's west coast, the European cartographers continued to portray the coast from Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula to Cape Mendocino and Cape Blanco in present day Oregon, in entirely speculative topography. Robert de Vaugondy, who engraved and published this compilation of sections of early maps, intended the overall sheet to be a history of the mapping of California & it was included in the Supplement to Diderot's “Encyclopie” in 1779. A fine chart in very nice condition.

CAL151 - R. de VAUGONDY “Carte De La Californie Et Du Pays Nord-Ouest separés de L'Asie par le Detroit d'Anian extraite de deux Cartes publiées au commencement du 17th siecle. Par le Sr. Robert de Vaugondy. Geog. du Roi, du seu Roi de Pologne, Duc de Lorraine et de Bar et de L'Academie Royale des Sciences et Belle-lettres de Nanci, et Censeur Royal 1772.” Livourne 1779. B/W. 11½X14. This fine chart engraved by Robert de Vaugondy shows two maps on one sheet. 1. A highly speculative rendition of the coast of California from the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula to the Bering Strait in Alaska, called the Sea of Anian, and 2. another speculative depiction of the coast, again from the Baja to Alaska & the coast of Asia, but showing inland regions with many rivers called Mexicana. These two maps were taken from Nicolas Visscher's 4 sheet map of 1612 & from the Mappemonde of Pierre Plantius in 1641. These charts published by Robert de Vaugondy were included in Diderot's “Encyclopedie” in 1779 and are revealing examples of how little was known of the coast of California by European cartographers in the 17th and early 18th centuries.Two fine charts.

CAL154 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Reconnoissance of the Western Coast of the United States. From Monterey to the Columbia River in 3 aheets. Sheet 1.” Wash. D.C. 1851. B/W. 20X17¼. Finely engraved chart shows the California coast from Monterey to Cape Mendocino. Locates the Bay of Monterey, Pta. San Pedro, Pta . Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Sir. F. Drake's Bay. Pta. de Los Reyes, Bodega Head, Pta. de Arena & Cape Mendocino. Includes 3 landfall approach views. 1. View of the entrance to San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, 2. View of Cape Mendocino and 3. View of Point Pinos. Also lists very detailed sailing directions with dangers for both steamers and sailing vessels. A very nice chart. 

CAL158 - C. S. HAMMOND “California (Northern and Central Part.)” N.Y. 1936. Printed color. 18X11. This fine map of Northern California shows counties, towns and harbors, railroads, National Monuments and Parks. The coast is shown from Monterey to Santa Cruz, and San Francisco, Point Arena, Point Delgado, Cape Mendocino, Humboldt Bay, & Pelican Bay on the Oregon border. The map has excellent detail and includes a list of railroads crossing the State. Published by C. S. Hammond, in Hammonds New World Atlas. 

CAL160 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Sketch J. No.3 Point Conception. Coast of California.” Wash. D.C. 1850. B/W. 8X6½. Finely drawn sketch shows Point Conception on the coast of Santa Barbara County and depicts the Valley of the Coxo, Indian Ranche and the Observatory. Includes both topographical and hydrographical details. Finely drawn.

CAL164 - S.A.MITCHELL “County Map of California.” Phila. 1860. Colored. 18¼X10½. Attractive map of California with 2 inset charts 1.) San Francisco Bay & Vicinity and 2.) Map of the Settlements in the Great Salt Lake Country, Utah. The California coast depicts harbors from San Diego and Los Angeles, to the Santa Barbara Is., San Luis Obispo, the Bay of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco Bay & Sir Francis Drake's Bay to Mendocino, Humboldt Bay and Del Norte & the Klamath River. Inland the map shows cities, towns and settlements, lakes, rivers and mountains. Includes a decorative border frame of vines and leaves. From Mitchell's “New General Atlas of Various Countries of the World” published in Philadelphia in 1860. A very nice map.

CAL165 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Reconnaissance of the Western Coast of the United States From Monterey to the Columbia River in 3 sheets. Sheet No.1” Wash. D.C. 1850. B/W. 19¼X17¼. Fine chart shows the California Coast from the Bay of Monterey & Point Pinos to San Francisco and Alcatraz to Sir Francis Drake's Bay, Bodega Head and Cape Mendocino. Includes two finely engraved landfall approach views 1.) View of the Entrance to San Francisco and Alcatraz and 2.) View of Cape Mendocino. Includes very detailed sailing directions for navigating the coast and entering harbors. Chart was printed on heavy paper for use at sea.

CAL166 - U. S. COAST SURVEY “Reconnaissance of Smith's or Blunt's Islands, Washington,“ and “Sketch of Anacapa Island in Santa Barbara Channel.” Wash. D.C. 1854. B/W. 12X9¼. This is a scarce Coast Survey engraved by J. A. M. Whistler, J. Young, and C. A. Knight, and drawn by W. H. McMurtrie. Although the chart shows a finely drawn view of the eastern extremity of Anacapa Island, it's primary claim to fame is that one of the engravers was James McNeil Whistler who worked for the Coast Survey for a few months in 1854 before going on to become one of the most famous 19th century artists with a worldwide reputation.

CAL167 - U.S. COAST SURVEY “City of San Francisco.” Wash. D.C. 1853. Colored. 16X16. Excellent large survey of the City of San Francisco showing street block plans & wharves & shoreline contours. Locates public buildings, reservoirs & includes detailed notes on tides. Depicts Roncon Point, the Marine Railway, Steamboat Point & Point San Quentin, the Mission De Dolores & Mission Creek & Bay. Published by the United States Coast Survey under the direction of A. D. Bache, Superintendent, this depiction of San Francisco is considered to be the first full-scale plan of the City to be published by an official source in the mid 19th century. Very nice condition.

CAL168 - O. W. GRAY “San Francisco” Phila. 1875. Colored.15X12. Attractive & very detailed map shows street block plans with wharves, & shoreline contours & the track of the Southern & Western Pacific Railroad entering the City. Depicts the Presidio Reservation, Holly Park, St. Mary's College, cemeteries & waterworks. Locates the San Miguel Rancho, the India Dock, Point San Quentin, China Basin, Roncon Point & Black Point Fortifications. The map was drawn for O. W. Gray's “National Atlas Containing Elaborate Topographical Maps of the United States & General Maps of the World.” A very good City map.

CAL169 - UNITED COAST SURVEY “San Diego Entrance & Approaches.” Wash. D.C. 1851. Colored. 11½X13. The chart shows Point Loma & shoreline contours, at the entrance to the Bay & includes a Sub-Sketch of San Diego Bay & Los Coronados. The sketch depicts San Diego Harbor with San Diego located at the center of the shoreline curve, with Point Loma at the entrance to the Harbor. Many depth soundings are depicted in the Bay & the chart includes detailed sailing directions for vessels approaching San Diego from offshore. A fine chart in very nice condition.

CAL170 - H. W. FAIRBANKS “Geological Map of Portions of San Diego, Orange, & San Bernardino Counties.” San Francisco. c. 1885. Colored. 18X19. Survey shows San Diego, Point Loma, False Bay, & the San Diego River. Depicts San Juan & Capistrano, San Mateo Creek, Oceanside, Escondido, San Jacinto, the San Gorgonio Mountains, Temecula & many rivers & creeks. In top right is an inset chart titled “Section through San Onofre & Santa Margarita Mountains & Santa Rosa Plateau”, & at the base of the survey is an inset titled “Section Through San Diego Co. From Point Loma East to the Desert.” The survey was prepared for the 11th Report of the State Mineralogist, William Irelan. Jr. by H. W. Fairbanks. B.S.

CAL171 - G. F. CRAM “Map of the City of San Francisco.” Chicago c. 1896. Colored. 14X20. Intensely detailed map of the City shows street block plans, parks, commercial & public buildings. Depicts San Miguel Rancho, the Alms House Tract, Rancho Laguna de la Merced, the Presidio Reservation, & along the shore of the Bay the map depicts wharves, the China Basin, the Arctic Oil Wharf, Central Basin, India Basin, the California Dry Dock & Hunter's Point. Includes the Golden Gate Park.& the map portrays the extent of the City of San Francisco in the late 19th century, which had grown tremendously in size & density over the past 50 years. The map was published in “Cram's Unrivalled Atlas of the World” in 1896. An excellent City survey.

CAL172 - G. MIDDLETON “Three Views. 1.) A Man of California Fishing On His Bark, 2.) A Man of the Same Country Returned From Fishing, 3.) A California Lady of Distinction ” London. 1778. Colored. 7X10.This engraved view of Californian Indians drawn in the late 18th century, shows them in fanciful poses fishing & hunting on a beach with the seacoast in the background. The scene was published in “A New & Complete System of Geography” by Charles Theodore Middleton, Esq. in 1778. The navigators & explorers who visited the coast of California in the 18th century brought back descriptions of the native Indians, describing them as simple, crude & living by hunting & fishing, & were hostile to the ship's crews that attempted to land during the early explorations of the California coast.

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